The Sun, Westerly, R.I. Wednesday, January 5, 2005
Proposed Park for bikes, ATV’s draws opposition
By James Schlett
The Sun Staff
CHARLESTOWN — A proposal to develop a 45-acre park for dirt bikes and snowmobiles near the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge is drawing opposition from a Rhode Island conservation organization and the Narragansett Indian tribe.
Friends of the National Wildlife Refuges of Rhode Island and tribe officials last month separately wrote letters to the town Zoning Board of Review to “object strenuously†to a Charlestown couple’s application for a major recreation center special permit.
Randal C. and Rose M. Lamb in July submitted plans for the South Shore Recreation Center that would be based off 100 Lewis Trail.
The park would have three areas for off-road vehicles, such as dirt bikes, all-terrain vehicles, sports utility vehicles and snowmobiles, according ot the Lambs’ special permit application.
The Lambs said the project would not adversely affect neighing properties or drinking water. It would instead provide a “much needed recreational venue for the off-road vehicles of the community,†according to the application.
The refuge group and the Narragansetts challenged the Lambs’ environmental impact claims, saying that the project could threaten area wildlife and tribal water sources.
Friends of the National Wildlife Refuge of Rhode Island Chairwoman Laura Landen urged zoning officials in a Dec. 10 letter to reject the Lambs’ application. She noted that the area could house over 141 species, of which 32 are identified by the state as species of special interest. One animal there is currently petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act.
“Many wildlife species are disturbed by excessive contact with humans, excessive noise, light and air pollutants,†Landen said in the letter. “This impact on wildlife affects us, as it diminishes our enjoyment of such wildlife and of quiet places.â€
Tribe Director of Planning Eric Wilcox warned in a Dec. 3 letter to the town of the “irreversible†affects spilled motor oil or gasoline in the proposed development would have on the environment. The proposed park would abut some of the Narragansetts’ 1800 acres of settlement lands.
Wilcox said ther was no evidence to contest the environmental impacts that the project would have the tribe’s watershed and two ponds. He also cautioned about park patrons trespassing onto tribal property and producing a “harmful relationship†between the abutting property owners.
The Providence-based GZA Geoenvironmental consulting firm stated in Dec. 6 letter to zoning officials that the project would have no significant impacts on groundwater on or off the site.
The park would attract 20 to 30 motor bike riders on a typical summer day. The recreation center’s motor bike season would run from April to November while snowmobiles would use it during the winter months, according to the GZA letter.
The Lambs bought the Lewis Trail property in 1999 to build a single family home on 2 acres. Their remaining 45 acres would have been used for a wild game farm, but changes in state and federal agricultural and environmental regulations hindered that plan, according to their application.
The Zoning Board will continue is public hearing on the proposal at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Town Hall.
Jschlett@thewesterlysun.com
